The Emerging Bilingual Collaborative (EBC) is dedicated to ensuring young multilingual learners in California thrive.
In California, 60% of children under five and nearly 20% of K-12 students are multilingual learners. At EBC, we’re committed to creating an educational environment that celebrates and supports these young learners, unlocking their full potential.
By prioritizing the success of multilingual learners in the early grades, we not only open doors to brighter futures for these students but also help build a stronger, multilingual California.
Join us in championing young multilingual learners and shaping a vibrant, inclusive future for all.
WELCOME to the emerging bilingual collaborative
EBC is committed to building an equitable and accessible multilingual education system in California.
Specifically, we want all young multilingual learners (PreK-3rd grade) to have access to a culturally affirming, intellectually rich education that nurtures biliteracy in their home language and English.
We do this by investing in California’s public education system in the following ways:
Regional Coherence
Developing regional system conditions that foster a multilingual education system spanning PreK–3rd grade.
Narrative change
Supporting the infrastructure for narrative change that will activate support for an equitable and accessible multilingual education system.
State support
Enhancing the state system of support for a multilingual education system.
Local Learning Environments
Developing intellectually rich, culturally affirming teaching & learning environments that foster multilingualism.
Resources & Initiatives
Multilingual LearnING Toolkit
The Multilingual Learning Toolkit is an online hub for research-based key principles and instructional strategies for educators who teach PreK-3rd grade multilingual learners. And the best part? This toolkit is absolutely free. Start with the user guides to find how you can use it to support the important work you’re doing.
Empowering Emerging Bilinguals: Policy and Leadership Recommendations from a Community of Practice
From 2021-2024, Education First coordinated a community of practice for districts and counties focused on high-quality instructional practices for young multilingual learners.
This report summarizes the overall effort, captures lessons learned, and offers recommendations for policymakers and education system leaders.
Multilingual Learning for CA: Research Findings & Recommendations
Findings and recommendations from Wonder for Good's initial narrative change research that led to the narrative change community of practice funded by EBC.
Meet Our Grantees
Featured Grantees
Contact us
If you are a funder looking for opportunities to support multilingual learners in California,
please reach out to Kathleen Dutta, Director of the EBC at info@emergingbilingualcollaborative.org
